The study’s researchers explain this gut/brain connection further:
“The fermented foods so often included in traditional dietary practices have the potential to influence brain health by virtue of the microbial action that has been applied to the food or beverage, and by the ways in which the fermented food or beverage directly influences our own microbiota…this could manifest behaviorally…”
Fascinatingly, the number of neurons in our gut are roughly the same number of neurons located in our spinal cord. There is actually a term for this neuronal arrangement in the gut, the enteric nervous system, which is often called our “second brain.” Because of these neuronal firings, our gut is capable of reacting without communicating with our brain. In fact, it is said that cravings for certain foods may not come from the brain at all, but from the gut.
Our microbiome, the community of bacteria that resides in our gut, is influenced by our age, genetic code, stress levels, and where we live. Furthermore, this microbiome is capable of communicating with our Central Nervous System (CNS) and influencing our behavioral traits.
In the relationship between probiotics, fermented foods and behavioral changes, other studies have been conducted that appear to demonstrate a link between the gut/brain communication network and other changes in behavior. In one study, participants were split into two groups, one that took prebiotics every day and one that took a placebo. After just three weeks, the group that took prebiotics had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and in tests they paid less attention to negative information and more attention to positive information.
The bottom line is that consuming fermented foods – pickles, sauerkraut, yogurt, etc. – can initiate a gut reaction that may relieve stress and anxiety in the brain. Also, we’ve learned that the gut does indeed have a “mind of its own,” and one that can influence our thoughts and behaviors. If we’re willing to eat healthy, exercise and do the advantageous things necessary to promote gut health, we may just find we’re better off in terms of our mental health as well.
Source : https://www.powerofpositivity.com
